Optical transmitter system

ABSTRACT

An optical transmitter system for supplying a plurality of different wavelength optical radiation components (λ 1  to λ n ) to a transmission element ( 2 ), which, in operation, is connected to the transmitter system for conveying the different wavelength radiation components to a respective receiver ( 11 ), is disclosed. The transmitter system comprises means for detecting a loss of a wavelength radiation component at the respective receiver ( 11 ) and means ( 9 ) for interrupting the supply of the wavelength component in response to a detection of loss of the wavelength component at the receiver. The transmitter system is characterised by timing means ( 10 ) capable of providing respective restart times (t 1  to t n ) which differ one to another for the wavelength radiation components, and means ( 9 ) for restarting the supply of the wavelength component, following an interruption, at the restart time provided by the timing means.

[0001] The invention relates to an optical transmitter system and more especially to an optical transmitter system for use in a wavelength division multiplex (WDM) optical communications system.

[0002] In conventional optical communication systems, communications traffic is communicated between a transmitter and receiver by means of optical radiation which is modulated with the communications traffic and which is conveyed by optical waveguiding means, typically an optical fibre. Optical radiation in the context of this patent application is defined as electromagnetic radiation within a free-space wavelength range from 560 nm to 2000 nm, although a free-space wavelength of substantially 1550 nm is a preferred part of this range.

[0003] In operation of optical communications system an optical fibre can suffer mechanical damage including breakage and it is desirable to prevent personnel in the vicinity of such a break being exposed to the escape of optical radiation, which may be of a level, which is hazardous to their eyesight or skin.

[0004] Two approaches to minimising this risk are: (i) to ensure, by design of the system, that the power level of the optical radiation carried by the fibre is always maintained below a “safe” level or (ii) to stop the supply of optical radiation to the fibre when there is an indication that a break may have occurred in the fibre. In the case of the latter the loss of the receipt of optical radiation at the receiver is taken as an indication of a potential fibre break. The latter method is often termed automatic laser shutdown (ALS). To re-start operation of the communications system, after ALS, it is known to re-start the laser after a specified period of time, currently 100 seconds, and pulse it for a short period of time. The duration of the pulse (typically two seconds) is selected to be sufficiently short as to not cause injury. When the receiver detects such a pulse it communicates back to the transmitter to re-commence normal operation.

[0005] EP 1003300 discloses a method of automatic restart of optical transmitters in an optical fibre communication system following the automatic shutdown of the optical transmitters as a consequence of a fault in the system. The method comprises periodically sending over the system, by means of a transmitter at the near end, a restart pulse and then detecting at the near end, within a given time interval, the return of the restart pulse which has been retransmitted (generated) by a transmitter at the far end. The method is characterised by successively increasing the duration of the restart pulse generated whenever the restart pulse is received/retransmitted. If a fault has actually been repaired, then, starting from a short duration restart pulse, in a short period of time, a longer retransmitted pulse is received at the near end before the transmitter at the near end generates a new restart pulse. In such a circumstance, which is indicative of the fault having been repaired, the transmitter is switched back on to continuous operation. In contrast, under the circumstance in which a fault has not been repaired, no retransmitted pulse will have been received at the near end when a new restart pulse is to be transmitted. The duration of the restart pulse will therefore be increased only once ensuring it remains within safety limits.

[0006] To increase the transmission capacity of the communications system it is current practice to employ wavelength division multiplexing in which the modulated optical radiation comprises a plurality of radiation components, termed wavelength channels, having mutually different wavelength bands. Each wavelength channel is modulated with respective communications traffic and all of the channels simultaneously conveyed over a single optical fibre. Systems with eight or more wavelength channels are often termed dense wavelength division multiplex (DWDM) systems.

[0007] For WDM systems the optical power conveyed by a fibre is the sum of the separate component (wavelength channel) power levels and it is undesirable to limit this total power level to a safe level since this would unduly limit the span of the optical link between the transmitter and receiver. This is especially so for DWDM systems operating with many tens of wavelength channels and such systems consequently favour ALS arrangements.

[0008] In active WDM systems one of the wavelength channels, termed an Optical Supervisory Channel (OSC), is reserved for controlling the communications system by passing control protocols between nodes. The loss of OSC at the receiver is used as an indication of a break in a fibre and the lasers for all the wavelength channels are accordingly shut down. To re-activate the system OSC only is pulsed at 100-second intervals for 2 seconds to test the optical fibre link. If the OSC reaches the receiver the lasers for the communications channels are accordingly reactivated.

[0009] A problem arises however in passive WDM systems in which the wavelength channels are passively combined and each originates from optical sources that operate in complete independence of one another. In passive systems there is no central control function for safely re-activating the sources and consequently it is preferred in such systems to limit the total optical power to a “safe” level.

[0010] The present invention has arisen in an endeavour to at least in part overcome this problem.

[0011] According to the invention there is provided an optical transmitter system comprising: a plurality of transmitters each for supplying to a transmission element an optical radiation component having a respective wavelength, the transmission element for conveying the plurality of radiation components to a respective receiver; means for detecting a loss of a radiation component at the respective receiver; and means for interrupting the supply of the radiation component in response to a detection of loss of the radiation component at the receiver; characterised by: timing means capable of providing a respective restart time which differ one to another for each of the optical radiation components, and means for restarting the supply of the wavelength component, following an interruption, at the restart time provided by the timing means.

[0012] Detection of the loss of an optical radiation component by the respective receiver is taken as an indication that there may be a break in the transmission element, or at least a problem in the transmitter of the radiation component and the supply of this radiation component is accordingly interrupted by the transmitter. Clearly the loss of all of the radiation components at the respective receivers, which will result when there is a break in the transmission element, will result in the transmitter system interrupting the supply of all radiation components thereby preventing accidental escape of radiation from the break. Since the transmitter system reactivates supply of the radiation components at different respective restart times this ensures that even if there is a break when the system restarts only one, or only a few, of the radiation components will be present thereby limiting the power level of any escaping radiation. Moreover since each transmitter is restarted at its own restart time, independent of any other transmitter, the present invention is particularly suited to a passive WDM system in which there is little or no central control function between the transmitters.

[0013] In one arrangement, the timing means is capable of generating a pseudo-random sequence of respective restart times.

[0014] Preferably, the timing means includes a respective timing unit at each transmitter which is capable of generating the respective restart time. Preferably, the timing units includes a pseudo-random number generator and the seed number used in the pseudo-random number generator is unique to the transmitter.

[0015] In an alternative arrangement, the timing means is capable of generating a plurality of respective restart times which are based on the wavelength of the optical radiation components.

[0016] In one arrangement employing a seed number, the seed number used in the pseudo-random number generator includes the network address and port number of the transmitter.

[0017] In another arrangement employing a seed number, the seed number used in the pseudo-random number generator includes a laser card serial number of the transmitter.

[0018] The invention also provides a method of operating an optical transmitter system comprising: supplying a plurality of different wavelength optical radiation components to a transmission element for transmission to a respective receiver; detecting a loss of a wavelength radiation component at the respective receiver; interrupting the supply of the wavelength radiation component to the transmission element on a detection of loss of the wavelength radiation component at the receiver; supplying respective restart times which differ one to another for the different-wavelength radiation components; and following an interruption, restarting supply of the wavelength radiation component at the respective restart time.

[0019] An optical transmitter system in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to FIG. 1 that is a schematic representation of a passive optical WDM transmitter/receiver system in accordance with the invention. The transmitter/receiver system provides n bi-directional communications links with a corresponding transmitter/receiver system located at an opposite end of the communication link.

[0020] Referring to the FIG. 1, the optical WDM transmitter/receiver system includes an output port 1 for connection to an output optical fibre 2 capable of transmitting a WDM optical signal comprising a plurality n of different wavelength channels (λ₁ to λ_(n)), optical radiation components. Typically the system would be configured for operation in C-band (i.e. a free-space wavelength of 1530 to 1565 nm) and have 32 wavelength channels with wavelength spacing between channels of 0.8 nm. It will be appreciated that the present invention applies equally to other wavelength ranges of operation having differing numbers of channels/channel spacings.

[0021] The WDM signal is generated by a wavelength selective multiplexer 3 which passively combines the individual wavelength channels (λ₁ to λ_(n)) from a respective optical fibres OF₁ to OF_(n). As is known the wavelength selective multiplexer 3 could typically comprise an arrayed waveguide grating or cascaded dichroic filters. Each fibre OF₁ to OF_(n) is connected to respective client equipment 4, which transmits the respective wavelength channel.

[0022] The transmitter/receiver system further includes an input port 5 for connection to an input optical fibre 6 for receiving a WDM signal comprising the plurality of n wavelength channels. The received WDM signal represents the communication link in an opposite direction. A passive wavelength selective de-multiplexer 7 is connected to the input port 5 and is operable to separate the constituent wavelength channels comprising the WDM signal and place each on a respective optical fibre identified as LF₁ to LF_(n). The Fibres LF₁ to LF_(n) are in turn connected to a respective client equipment 4. The wavelength selective de-multiplexer 7 could typically comprise an arrayed waveguide grating or cascaded dichroic filters

[0023] In FIG. 1 there is shown only two client equipment 4 corresponding to bi-directional communications links that utilise wavelength channels λ₁ and λ_(n) respectively. It will be appreciated that similar client equipment 4 exists for the other wavelength channels though these are not shown in the Figure for reasons of clarity. Each client equipment comprises a transmitter 8, transmitter controller 9, timing unit 10 and receiver 11. The transmitter 8 is operable to generate the respective wavelength channel and would comprise, for example, a semiconductor laser whose output radiation is modulated with communications traffic using an external optical modulator (e.g. A Mach-Zehnder optical modulator) connected to its output. It will be appreciated that in alternative configurations the laser can be modulated directly by modulating the drive current to the laser with the communication traffic. The output of the transmitter 8 is coupled into the respective optical fibre OF₁ to OF_(n). The timing unit 10 is operable to generate a respective restart time (t₁ to t_(n)) for its associated transmitter 8. The transmitter controller 9 is for controlling operation the transmitter 8 and as will be described is operable to shut down operation of the transmitter (laser) in the event of a possible fibre break and to subsequently automatically restart the transmitter. The receiver 11 is for receiving and detecting communication traffic received on the respective optical fibre LF, to LFn.

[0024] In the operation of the transmitter/receiver system, each transmitter 8 generates and transmits its respective wavelength channel along its respective optical fibre OF₁ to OF_(n) to the multiplexer 3 which passively combines the wavelength channels (optical radiation components) to produce a WDM optical signal which is transmitted from the output port 1. The WDM optical signal is carried over the optical fibre 2 to a corresponding transmitter/receiver system (not shown) at a far end of the fibre.

[0025] Further in the operation of the transmitter system, a WDM signal is received at the input port 5 and conveyed to the wavelength de-multiplexer which passively separates the radiation components (wavelength channels) placing one on each of the optical fibres LF₁ to LF_(n) from which the wavelength channels pass to the receiver 11 in a respective client equipment 4. The received WDM signal represents the opposite direction of communication for the bi-directional communications link.

[0026] The possibility exists that, in the operation of the system, mechanical breakage could occur in either of the optical fibres 2, 6 connecting the transmitter/receiver system to a corresponding transmitter/receiver system at a far end. For ease of description, the operation of the system in relation to a break occurring in the optical fibre 2 will be described though it will be appreciated that the system operates in a like manner for a break occurring in the optical fibre 6. Moreover in the following description the transmitter/receiver equipment illustrated in FIG. 1 will be referred to as the near end system and the transmitter/receiver at the far end referred to as the far end system.

[0027] The power level of the WDM signal being transmitted along the optical fibre 2 is the sum of the power levels of the individual wavelength channels conveyed by the optical fibres OF₁ to OF_(n) and may be high enough to cause damage to, for example, the vision or skin of personnel in the vicinity of the break. As a safety measure, the transmission/receiver system includes provision for treating a loss of the WDM channels at the far end system as an indication that a mechanical break may have occurred in the optical fibre cable 2 and for switching off the transmitters in the near end system in that event. Safety is assured in that, if there is a mechanical break in the optical fibre 2, there is effectively no escape of laser-generated radiation, which would be at potentially hazardous power levels, from the break.

[0028] When a loss of the respective WDM channel is detected by the receiver 11 in the far end client equipment 4, this being indicative of a possible break in the fibre 2, the transmitter controller switches off its transmitter 8. In turn the loss of the wavelength channel is detected by the receiver 11 within near end client equipment 4 and the transmitter controller 9 shuts switches off its transmitter 8.

[0029] Clearly in the case of an actual fibre break there will be a loss of all wavelength channels at the far end and each transmitter will accordingly switch off its transmitter.

[0030] In the operation of the system, following the switch-off of the transmitters, on an indication that a mechanical break may have occurred in the optical fibre 2, the system recommences transmission after a set period has elapsed in case the break has been repaired. This is done for each wavelength channel at a respective restart time t₁ to t_(n) which differ one to another and which is generated by a respective timing unit 10. Since the re-activation of the transmitters (i.e. those at the near end) occurs at different restart times, the power transmitted into the optical fibre cable 2 at restart is too low in level to pose a threat to safety should it turn out that a mechanical break does exist in the optical fibre 2. The sequence of interrupted transmission followed by restart at respective restart times is repeated for as long as there is a detection of a break in the optical fibre 2 and, when a break is no longer detected at, restart proceeds until normal full transmission is attained.

[0031] Typically, there are 100-second wait periods before transmission is recommenced with restart attempts lasting of the order of 2 seconds. As soon as the receiver 11 at the far end detects the presence of the wavelength channel, the transmitter controller 9 re-activates its transmitter 8 and in turn this is detected at the near end by the receiver 11. Upon receipt of the wavelength channel the transmitter controller 9 switches the transmitter 8 to operate continuously.

[0032] Since each client equipment 4 includes a respective timing unit 10 this enables the system to be safely re-activated, after a possible fibre break, without a need for any interaction between the client equipment 4. In the embodiment illustrated each of the client equipment 4 operate in total in total independence of one another.

[0033] In a preferred implementation the timing units generate their respective restart time using a pseudo-random sequence. In such an arrangement the timing unit includes a pseudo-random number generator and the seed number used in the pseudo-random number generator is preferably unique to the transmitter.

[0034] The seed number used in the pseudo-random number generator can include the network address and port number of the source equipment or, alternatively, the seed number used in the pseudo-random number generator can include a transmitter (laser) card serial number of transmitter.

[0035] There is a possibility that more than one transmitter will be restarted at the same time as each timing unit generates a pseudo-random restart time independent of any other timing unit. However the probability of this occurring is acceptable since only a few transmitters are likely to be re-activated at any one time and it is likely that the optical radiation power level not to exceed the set safe level.

[0036] In an alternative arrangement the timing unit generates a restart time based on the wavelength channel.

[0037] Another possibility is that an operator sets restart times for the different wavelength channels, for example, at the time that the client equipment is installed.

[0038] A transmitter system in accordance with the invention is especially suited to a passive WDM system which includes little or no control between the wavelength channels (client equipment) and which includes passive (optical) components for performing the WDM functions (in particular optical multiplexing of the WDM wavelength channels). However a transmitter/receiver system in accordance with the invention using a staggered re-start of lasers after interruption is also considered to be advantageous in other WDM system. 

1. An optical transmitter system comprising: a plurality of transmitters (9) each for supplying to a transmission element (2) an optical radiation component having a respective wavelength (λ₁ to λ_(n)), the transmission element for conveying the plurality of radiation components to a respective receiver (11); means for detecting a loss of a radiation component at the respective receiver (11); and means (9) for interrupting the supply of the radiation component in response to a detection of loss of the radiation component at the receiver; characterised by: timing means (10) capable of providing a respective restart time (t₁ to t_(n)) which differ one to another for each of the optical radiation components, and means (9) for restarting the supply of the wavelength component, following an interruption, at the restart time provided by the timing means.
 2. A transmitter system according to claim 1 in which the timing means (10) is capable of generating a pseudo-random sequence of respective restart times.
 3. A transmitter system according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the timing means includes a respective timing unit at each transmitter which is capable of providing the respective restart time.
 4. A transmitter system according to claim 2 or claim 3 in which the timing unit at each transmitter includes a pseudo-random number generator and the seed number used in the pseudo-random number generator is unique to the transmitter.
 5. A transmitter system according to claim 1 or claim 3 when dependent on claim 1, in which the timing means provides the respective restart times which are based on the wavelength of optical radiation components.
 6. A transmitter system according to claim 1 or claim 3 when dependent on claim 1, in which the timing means provides the respective restart times which are preset at the time of installation of the transmitter system.
 7. A transmitter system according to claim 4, in which the seed number used in the pseudo-random number generator includes the network address and port number of the transmitter.
 8. A transmitter system according to claim 4 in which the seed number used in the pseudo-random number generator includes a laser card serial number of the transmitter.
 10. A method of operating an optical transmitter system comprising: supplying a plurality of different wavelength optical radiation components to a transmission element for transmission to a respective receiver, detecting a loss of a wavelength radiation component at the respective receiver, interrupting the supply of the wavelength radiation component on a detection of loss of the wavelength radiation component at the receiver, supplying respective restart times which differ one to another for the different wavelength radiation components and following an interruption, restarting supply of the wavelength radiation component signals at the respective restart time. 